Author: Benjamin

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: As the fallout from the BBC’s undercover investigation into Connells and Purplebricks continues to ripple through the property sector, frontline staff are likely bracing for a backlash, says Ian Macbeth, founder of Avocado Estate Agents. In this week’s Panorama, reporter Lucy Vallance, investigated claims that Connells was not acting in the best interest of customers and that online agency Purplebricks was putting pressure on staff to sell ‘add-on’ services and incentivised employees to persuade sellers to cut house prices. “While corporate executives prepare their responses, it is the customer-facing estate…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Steph McGovern Business journalist, Steph McGovern, will host the NRLA’s annual UK Housing Conference. The co-host of ‘The Rest is Money’ podcast with ITV Political Editor Robert Peston, McGovern brings a wealth of experience on money and business issues. This includes time as a business presenter for BBC Breakfast and presenting the BBC’s flagship consumer affairs programme, Watchdog. The conference, taking place on 5 November at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre, comes at an important time for the rental sector amidst major reforms in the Renters’ Rights Bill, plans for new energy…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: A rogue landlord has been fined a total of £19,975 for operating an unlicensed HMO (House in Multiple Occupation in Haringey. Council officers visited the property several times during autumn 2024 to gather evidence that the property was being rented by the room. A follow-up visit in November uncovered a tenancy agreement showing the property had been operating as an HMO since August 2023 and was not licensed. A licence application was eventually submitted by the owner but only granted for one year rather than the usual five, a further…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The House of Lords has backed a series of amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill, paving the way for the planned legislation to be introduced. Over the past 12 months the legislation, which proposes many wide-ranging evolutions, such as a ban on Section 21 evictions, has been working its way through Westminster and has been subject to oversight and debate within the House of Lords regarding proposed amendments, all of which are aimed at strengthening and refining areas of the Bill before it becomes law. It’s vital that the new legislation strikes…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Propertymark has issued a response to the BBC Panorama investigation aired on Monday night, which revealed potentially unethical behaviour at Connells and Purplebricks. In the episode, titled ‘Undercover Estate Agent‘, reporter Lucy Vallance went undercover for six weeks as a sales negotiator at Connells in Abingdon, and found evidence that the estate agency favours buyers taking out mortgages brokered by the company itself, over the interests of other potential purchasers. Vallance also spoke with a whistleblower who worked at Purplebricks, where staff were under pressure to sell add-on services and…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: EYE’s coverage of the BBC Panorama expose of Purplebricks and Connells, unsurprisingly provoked a substantial quantity of comment from readers. Whenever such a programme airs there are calls for more regulation and policing of estate agencies. But unless we are going to have a Trading Standards person sitting in every estate agency branch there is not the slightest chance that heeding such a call would have any effect. There’s more than enough consumer legislation and agency codes of practice in existence – but enforcement is woefully lacking. The programme conveniently…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Ben Madden I keep coming back to Grant Cardone’s line ‘Best known always beats best’, and as painful as it is to admit it, he’s right. You could be the best agent on the planet, but if nobody knows it, what’s the point. Likewise, you could be wildly mediocre but extraordinarily well known, and the chances are, you’re going to be doing reasonable business. It’s never been easier, or harder, to build your awareness locally. Easier, because you have a powerful content studio in your pocket, your phone. Harder, because the playbook is crowded with confusion, overthinking, and second-guessing.…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Empty and second homes are not the answer to Scottish housing shortages, according to DJ Alexander. The Scottish estate agency said that the announcement by housing secretary, Mairi McAllan, that she was acting to prevent “unacceptable” levels of empty homes in Scotland is worthy but will not come close to resolving the current housing emergency. McAllan said that she was going to fund more empty homes officers to bring privately owned houses back into use. These officers work on the £2m a year Scottish government investment in the Scottish Empty…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: For decades, conveyancing has been characterised by manual processes, duplicated effort, and protracted communication. In today’s fast-paced and digitally connected world, there is consensus that this model is unsustainable. There is mounting pressure from clients for ever-better service, regulators for compliance improvements, and competitors for technical innovation.   The conveyancing legal technology sector, which was once solely focused on case management, is now at the heart of a law firm CTO or partner’s agenda to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and meet expectations. Thomas Maerz, CEO of tmGroup, considers the major advances…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: A legal bid to block stricter rules for landlords in part of Scunthorpe has failed. A landlords’ association had launched a judicial review against North Lincolnshire Council’s plan to introduce selective licensing in areas covering parts of Crosby and Park, and Town Wards. Selective licensing allows councils to impose higher housing standards on private landlords and charge a fee to fund the scheme. The challenge delayed the original rollout, which was set for March 20. However, the landlords’ association has now confirmed to Scunthorpe Live that the legal action was…